By Steve Neavling
President Donald Trump is intensifying his push to prosecute political opponents, a move that has fueled debate over free speech, censorship, and the independence of the Justice Department.
In a weekend post aimed at Attorney General Pam Bondi, Trump complained that “nothing is being done” against some of his adversaries, writing: “We can’t delay any longer, it’s killing our reputation and credibility. JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!”
He later told reporters, “They’re guilty, they’re not guilty — we have to act fast. If they’re not guilty, that’s fine. If they are guilty or if they should be charged, they should be charged. And we have to do it now,” PBS reports.
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., warned Sunday that “it is not right for the Trump administration to do the same thing” Democrats once did, while Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., called Trump’s actions “unconstitutional and deeply immoral.” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on CNN the president is turning the Justice Department “into an instrument that goes after his enemies … This is the path to a dictatorship.”
Trump has also tightened his grip on federal prosecutors, naming loyalists to key positions after forcing out U.S. attorneys, and his Pentagon has imposed new restrictions requiring reporters to sign pledges limiting what they can publish. Meanwhile, ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show over remarks about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s killing, a decision Trump hailed as overdue and an FCC official said could prompt further government action.
Not all Republicans back the crackdown. Sen. Ted Cruz said it is “unbelievably dangerous for government to put itself in the position of saying we’re going to decide what speech we like and what we don’t.”
